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Why Temperate Rainforests in Britain Matter

Explore the globally important, rare and often forgotten habitat of temperate rainforests.

Moss covers the ground and glows bright green in the sunlight. Trees can be seen in the foreground stretching into the distance in a beautiful temperate rainforest.

Ahead of World Rainforest Day we’re putting the spotlight on temperate rainforests in Britain. These globally important habitats are rare and often forgotten. But did you know they have the greatest concentration of oceanic lichens and mosses in Europe and are home to many lower plants that pre-date humans? Join Plantlife’s rainforest experts Adam and Sabine to learn more about these glorious ancient woodlands and how Plantlife is protecting them, alongside artist Joya Berrow who explores the relationship between humanity and nature.

*If you are a member you should have already received your personal email invitation directly from our team (contact us if you haven’t!). New members will receive a link in your welcome email.

Speakers

Plants in the City: Remarkable Life of Urban Plants

Join leading botanist Trevor Dines, and Specialist Botanical Advisor Sarah Shuttleworth, to delve into the world of urban plants. Find out how these plants defy the odds to live on our streets.

A fern grows out from a wall on a street in an urban environment, you can see the pavement stretching into the distance and houses and parked cars to the side.

Plants have never stopped defying urbanisation. They break through cracks in pavement, embellish city parks and colourfully adorn walls and buildings. Leading botanist Trevor Dines investigates these determined plants ahead of the launch of his upcoming book Urban Plants. Find out how they arrived, how they survive and how some have defied the odds to populate our streets.

*If you are a member you should have already received your personal email invitation directly from our team (contact us if you haven’t!). New members will receive a link in your welcome email.

Speakers

Why are Rare Plants Rare?

Why are rare plants rare? We target our conservation activity at the plants with the greatest need, which is generally the rare ones.

Rare, yellow Fen Orchid wildflowers stand against a green background of grasses

What do we mean by rare? Why do some plants get more conservation attention? And how do we work out why a plant is rare?

Join Plantlife’s Tim Pankhurst as he delves into the fascinating world of rare plants and how understanding why certain plants are rare can help us to save them.

*If you are a member you should have already received your personal email invitation directly from our team (contact us if you haven’t!). New members will receive a link in your welcome email.

Speakers

How I took the Most Biodiverse Garden to RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Taking a garden to Chelsea Flower Show is no mean feat. It was a journey of blood, sweat and tears for Dan Bristow to bring the most biodiverse garden to the world-renowned show in 2024.

Landscape Designer and creative Gardener, Dan Bristow, sits in the centre of a dark garden, surrounded by rich green plants included beautiful leafy ferns

Dan worked with local plant nurseries, mushroom growers, quarrymen and crafts people for his design, in support of climate change charity Size of Wales. This story has sustainability at its core and Dan will be joined by Vickie Wood, Plantlife’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing.

*If you are a member you should have already received your personal email invitation directly from our team (contact us if you haven’t!). New members will receive a link in your welcome email.

Speakers

Members only

How are Goats and Art Helping Vulnerable Bryophytes?

How can we improve the plight of our most vulnerable species?

Two goats peer around the side of a rock face, there are fields and trees in the background

Join Welsh Marches Project Officer, Ellie Baggett and the boredomresearch collaboration to hear about connecting people to the elusive bryophytes of Welsh species recovery programme, Natur am Byth!

Hear about the conservation grazing goats – Dodger, Humphrey and Goatie – and the magical world of moss, exploring themes of strength and fragility, and drawing parallels to human resilience and vulnerability.

Speakers

Members only

An Urban Park in the Sky: Where History and Nature Meet

Join National Trust’s Teddy Jones for a digital tour of Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester’s urban park in the sky. Learn about Manchester’s rich industrial past and the city’s long relationship with plants.

Photograph shows an array of flowers and other plants growing on a 330-metre stretch of steel overpass, along which goods were transported during the height of industrial Manchester. The Manchester skyline can just be seen behind the viaduct.
The elevated urban park  at Castlefield Viaduct flourishes on a 330-metre stretch of steel overpass, along which goods were transported during the height of industrial Manchester.
The viaduct closed in the 60s at which point nature started to reclaim the space.
The National Trust now welcomes visitors celebrate this unique sky park, where nature thrives amidst industrial heritage.

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Members only

Online Talk: Murder Most Florid

Join us and find out how plants can help solve crime.

white flower

Plants too are silent witnesses to crimes.

Their presence in many crime scenes can help an investigator identify a suspect or locate a victim.

Forensic botanist Dr Mark Spencer, will share how apparently mundane plants such as brambles and nettles can provide valuable insights into when a crime was committed or place a suspect at a scene.

Plantlife’s Dr Rachel Murphy will talk about other ways in which botanical records can be used for good.

Speakers

At the end of the talk there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

We really hope you can join us for this talk. The talk will be recorded and a link to the recording will be sent to all those who register to attend the event.

Members only

Online Talk: Let it Bloom June

A wide shot of a red car on a road with purple Tufted Vetch amongst a wild road verge

So maybe you didn’t mow in May – but what now?

Our green space and road verge team will share how #NoMowMay can open up a world of different habitats and ways to manage your garden, green space or road verge through the rest of summer.

They will be joined by a representative of a local authority who will share their #NoMowMay experiences.

Speakers

At the end of the talk there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

We really hope you can join us for this talk. The talk will be recorded and a link to the recording will be sent to all those who register to attend the event.

Members only

Online Talk: Plant Paparazzi – Botanical Photography for Beginners

Leif Bersweden taking a photo of a wild plant whilst lying on the floor

Have you ever eagerly taken pictures of an exciting plant, only to get home, check your phone and find all your photos are out of focus? This session will help you focus on your forget-me-nots and frame those foxgloves.

Botanist and author Leif Bersweden promotes plants by sharing his photos on social media. He will talk about the dos and don’ts of amateur botanical photography, what parts of the plant are useful to photograph for identification and much more.

Leif will be joined by Plantlife’s Cassie Crocker who will share how your botanical photos can support our conservation goals.

Speakers

Members only

Online Talk: Becoming ‘Familiar’ with Botany: Exploring 5 Plant Families

A hand holding a wild plant

If you’ve learned the parts of a plant, the next step in your wildflower identification journey is to explore some common plant families. Join Sarah and Sam in looking at the features of 5 plant families; Apiaceae (Carrot family), Lamiaceae (Dead-nettle family), Fabiaceae (Pea family), Rosaceae (Rose family) and Rubiaceae (Bedstraw family).
To recap the parts of a plant in advance, watch the Parts of a Plant webinar.

Speakers